[Mindanao Examiner] Maoist militants are set to free two policemen they seized in southern Philippines ahead of a scheduled peace talks with the Philippe government this month.Rebel spokesman Rubi Del Mundo said the National Democratic Front of the Philippines ordered Friday the release of 'prisoners of war' Arnold Ongachen and Michael Grande. Both cops were captured by the New People's Army in separate operations. He said the captives would be handed over to the government as soon as Manila suspend the ongoing security operations against the militants. He said the release is a gesture of goodwill for the formal resumption of the peace negotiations in Norway.
Del Mundo said, "The People's Democratic Government's judicial proceedings and investigations into POW Ongachen and POW Grande's possible war crimes and violation of people's rights have been effectively suspended in deference to appeals of their families and peace advocates. POW Ongachen and POW Grande have apologized for their violations against the people."
Del Mundo's statement coincided with the release Friday from prison of two top militant leaders – Benito and Wilma Tiamzon – who both face a series of criminal charges. They will join more than a dozen other rebel leaders released from jails who will take part in the peace talks.
Del Mundo accused the military and police of sabotaging the negotiations by filing false charges against the Tiamzon couple and the other rebel leaders. He said the Philippine government should immediately release all the remaining 540 political prisoners held in jails across the country.